BLM Seeks Input on Buffalo Field Office RMP Revision

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Buffalo Field Office (BFO), is asking the public to provide resource information, issues, and concerns as the agency begins the process of revising the BFO Resource Management Plan (RMP). As part of this project, a supporting environmental impact statement (EIS) is also being prepared.

The revised BFO RMP will provide future direction for managing approximately 800,000 acres of BLM-administered surface land and 4.7-million acres of BLM–administered mineral estate in Campbell, Johnson, and Sheridan counties in north-central Wyoming.

An integral component of the BFO RMP revision is public involvement. This request for public input is the first opportunity for local interests and residents to participate and share their insights and comments. As BLM proceeds with the planning effort, additional opportunities for public participation will be provided.

Emerging issues and changing laws necessitate revision of the BFO RMP. The major issues are 1) energy and mineral resource exploration and development; 2) access to and transportation on BLM lands; 3) recreation and off-highway vehicle management; 4) wildlife habitat management; 5) management and the cumulative effect of land uses and human activities on threatened, endangered, candidate, and sensitive species and their habitats; 6) vegetation, including impacts of invasive non-native species; 7) management of cultural and paleontological resources, including historic trails; 8) landownership adjustments; 9) fire management; 10) livestock grazing; 11) visual resource management; 12) Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), Wilderness Study Areas (WSA), Wild and Scenic Rivers (W&SR), or other special management areas; and 13) air and water quality. The BLM is requesting the help of the public in identifying additional issues to be addressed in the planning effort.

To assure that the best available information is used in completing the BFO RMP revision, BLM is requesting public input of any available resource information or data relevant to this planning area. The BLM is also requesting interest and information on coal resource development potential and other resources that may be affected by coal development for lands in the planning area. Industry, State, local governments, and the public may submit information on lands that should or should not be considered for coal leasing, including statements describing why the lands should or should not be considered for leasing. This request is in accordance with 43 CFR 3420.1-2, fulfilling the required call for coal and other resource information.

The BLM has scheduled five public scoping meetings at the times and locations shown below.

These meetings were scheduled to provide an opportunity the public an opportunity to comment on development of the BFO RMP/EIS. Along with presentations at 3:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. and question and answer sessions, there will be time to visit one on one with the specialists with additional questions, comments, or concerns.

Written comments and data submissions are due within 30 days after the last public scoping meeting or by January 5, 2009. Written comments and data submissions should be submitted to BFO RMP Revision Project Manager, BLM Buffalo Field Office, 1425 Fort Street Buffalo, Wyoming 82834. Electronic comments may be sent to BRMP_Rev_WYMail@blm.gov.

For more information or to have your name added to the RMP mailing list, contact Linda Slone at (307) 261-7520.